confidence and looking good while losing weight

[time4tea]

Hello

I've been slowly (so slowly) losing weight after DS2 was born 2 years ago, now about 13st down from 15 (eek), and size 16 rather than 20. good to be in normal shop clothes. I eat healthily and have been working on portion control.

I have my hair done nicely and have been going around in jeans with smock tops, looking ok mostly. have great 36E norks and buy good underwear

However, from time to time I feel really low about how I look - even though I know size isn't everything. how do you work on confidence in how you look?

I have very little time for exercise, am knackered (DS2 doesn't sleep so well, and I work 3 days a week) and DH can be a bit critical ("if only your face wasn't so round... it came off faster last time...")

so that's where I am..

thanks for any tips - I want to look good, be healthy and be at ease with myself, not "diet" - that's why I'm on this part of MN

Thanks for any tips X

bump

It's difficult to feel confident when you're not happy with your figure but could you keep telling yourself that you're a "Work in progress"? That in a few months time what you look like now will be just a memory. That helped me when I lost weight. I went from 14 stone down to 8 and a half. Haven't kept it all off but hover at around 9st now and have for a few years.

I walked my weight off. I know you say you haven't got time for exercise but just 30mins a day at a good pace (On top of any day to day walking you'd normally do) would make a real difference. You'd feel so much better too. A good walk really does blow the cobwebs away and you'd feel less sluggish. If you can find a few good hills to march up then that would help tone your legs, hips and bum too.

Sounds like you're doing all the right things clothes wise. Tunic tops are very forgiving and look good with jeans. Wear heels/wedges and keep the jeans floor skimming. If you look taller you'll look slimmer.

As for the critical husband... It might be time to gently point out his receding hairline/ear and nose hair/wrinkles around the eyes.

How about treating yourself to some lovely summery perfume that instantly lifts your mood when you wear it, or some bold jewellery that draws the eye, little things like this can really help with the confidence. Congratulations on the weight loss so far, you sound as though you are doing brilliantly

Jewellery is a really good idea. If, like you say you have good boobs then draw the eye to your top half with a show stopping necklace.

congratulations on your continued weight loss, comiserations about your unsupportive DH.

Amandoh is right about the exercise, I know it's hard when you have a DC that doesn't sleep and you are working (snap I have a 9month LO and work pt) BUT I promise you if you start exercising you will actually feel like you have more energy. Also working PT could help you as it means you have a child-break. Do you get an hour for lunch? Get out for a walk, if you have a shower at work get out and have a run.

"how do you work on confidence in how you look?" well you need to have a word with your DH, as much as you are the one who has to have the confidence to feel great about how you look it also helps if you have someone to tell you how much they fancy you and how beautiful, and that is defintely a DH job!

Find something that you know you look good in and keep it for those days when your confidence is low. I have a dress which manages to flatter my norks while hiding the bulges and I bring it out on low days. I also go looking for other clothes in the same shape.

Great article in Sunday Times Style magazine, 12/04/09 for curvaceous ladies.

This one:
women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/fashion/article6052789.ece

Well done on the weight loss!

I've just lost 1.5 stone and for me it's been all about jeans. Being able to buy a smaller size has been amazing and knowing my legs look slimmer has really helped.

haven't really bought much else yet, and I don't know if it would work for you, but jeans were my first purchase.

Yes. that's the one, LJLoB. One day I'll learn how to do that!

thanks everyone.

I took myself in hand: experimented with a belt to hitch up my sluggy jeans (not enough weight lost for next size down) got a great new tunic from White Stuff
www.whitestuff.com/TRANSLATION-BAY-KAFTAN-P24371/

and got my hair cut and coloured. also browsed in the bookshop Mimi Spencer book about feeling better about yourself without dieting. realised I am doing a-ok in terms of what I am doing to be more healthy and look good. the one tip she had, which I haven't done, is get a good corset (saucy and slimming) so I might go for that

thanks esp. for walking tips. will start walking to work more consistently (a good hour walk, a lot of it through a pretty park)

your encouragement meant a lot - thanks a lot XXX